Srimad Bhagavatam — Dashama Skandha, Shloka 33
Jarāsandha’s Siege of Mathurā, Kṛṣṇa-Balarāma’s Victory, and the Founding of Dvārakā amid Kālayavana’s Threat
स मुक्तो लोकनाथाभ्यां व्रीडितो वीरसम्मत: । तपसे कृतसङ्कल्पो वारित: पथि राजभि: ॥ ३२ ॥ वाक्यै: पवित्रार्थपदैर्नयनै: प्राकृतैरपि । स्वकर्मबन्धप्राप्तोऽयं यदुभिस्ते पराभव: ॥ ३३ ॥
sā mukto loka-nāthābhyāṁ vrīḍito vīra-sammataḥ tapase kṛta-saṅkalpo vāritaḥ pathi rājabhiḥ
Jarāsandha, whom fighters had highly honored, was ashamed after being released by the two Lords of the universe, and thus he decided to undergo penances. On the road, however, several kings convinced him with both spiritual wisdom and mundane arguments that he should give up his idea of self-abnegation. They told him, “Your defeat by the Yadus was simply the unavoidable reaction of your past karma.”
FAQs
Mucukunda, a celebrated king and warrior, becomes ashamed of worldly entanglement after being released by divine grace and resolves to pursue tapasya for spiritual purification.
Even when one is praised as heroic, true spiritual awakening can produce humility and a desire to leave worldly prestige for disciplined devotion and penance.
Reduce distractions, adopt daily spiritual discipline (japa, study, service), and choose long-term inner growth over short-term recognition.